Georgia: Dalton unemployment falls to 12.1% in August

Unemployment in the Dalton area declined slightly in August from the previous month, but the drop was due to fewer persons looking for work in Whtifield and Murray counties last month.

The Georgia Department of Labor reported today that the jobless rate in metropolitan Dalton declined by three-tenths of a percent in August to 12.1 percent.

Dalton continued to have the highest unemployment rate among Georgia's 14 metro areas. The jobless rate in the Dalton area last month was above the 11.9 percent rate in August 2010.

State figures indicate employment in metro Dalton decreased by 695 jobs from July to August but the labor force fell even more with 1,000 fewer people either working or looking or work in the Dalton area during August.

Over the past 12 months, the Dalton area reported a net gain of only 17 jobs, according to figures released today by State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

Georgia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent in August, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 10.1 percent in July. The state's jobless rate was also 10.2 percent in August a year ago. The increase is because about 5,500 new job seekers, as well as more of those already unemployed, were unable to find work.

August marked the 49th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.1 percent, unchanged from July.